Signification
Stating one's marital status.
Contexte culturel
Estonians often prefer 'vabaabielu' (cohabitation). It is socially equivalent to marriage in most daily contexts, though legal differences remain. Similar to Estonia, marriage rates are declining in favor of cohabitation, but the linguistic root 'naimisissa' is different from the Estonian 'abielus'. In the other Baltic states, marriage often holds a stronger religious (Catholic/Lutheran) significance compared to secular Estonia. With the 2024 law change, 'Ma olen abielus' is now a gender-neutral statement of equality in Estonia.
Gender Neutrality
Don't worry about gender! 'Abielus' works for everyone.
The '-s' is Key
Without the '-s', the sentence is grammatically broken.
Signification
Stating one's marital status.
Gender Neutrality
Don't worry about gender! 'Abielus' works for everyone.
The '-s' is Key
Without the '-s', the sentence is grammatically broken.
Vabaabielu
If you want to sound like a local and you aren't legally married, use 'vabaabielus'.
Privacy
Estonians might not ask this immediately; wait for them to bring up family first.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the word 'abielu' to say 'I am married'.
Ma olen ______.
The inessive case (-s) is required to describe the state of being married.
How do you ask 'Are you married?' formally?
Choose the best option:
'Te' is the formal/plural 'you', appropriate for formal situations.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kas sul on lapsi? B: Jah, mul on poeg ja tütar. Ma ______ kümme aastat abielus olnud.
The first person singular 'Ma' requires the verb 'olen'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are living with your partner but not legally married. What do you say?
'Vabaabielu' is the term for cohabitation without legal marriage.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Status Comparison
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMa olen ______.
The inessive case (-s) is required to describe the state of being married.
Choose the best option:
'Te' is the formal/plural 'you', appropriate for formal situations.
A: Kas sul on lapsi? B: Jah, mul on poeg ja tütar. Ma ______ kümme aastat abielus olnud.
The first person singular 'Ma' requires the verb 'olen'.
You are living with your partner but not legally married. What do you say?
'Vabaabielu' is the term for cohabitation without legal marriage.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsTechnically, it's a noun in the inessive case acting as an adverbial of state.
No, that just means 'I am a woman.' Use 'Ma olen abielus.'
Use the verb 'abielluma': 'Ma abiellun.'
It is neutral and can be used in any context.
You can say 'Me elame lahus' (We live apart).
No, the '-s' at the end of 'abielus' acts as the preposition 'in'.
Use the comitative case: 'Ma olen [Nimega] abielus.'
Yes, but cohabitation (vabaabielu) is equally common.
Yes, as of 2024, it is legally recognized for all couples.
'Vallaline' (single).
Expressions liées
Ma olen vallaline
contrastI am single
Ma olen vabaabielus
similarI am in a common-law marriage
Ma olen lahutatud
contrastI am divorced
Ma olen lesk
specialized formI am a widow/widower
Ma abiellun
builds onI am getting married
